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3 Themed Events You Should Do In Youth Ministry
Fun is part of the game in Student Ministry. I believe that it’s important to give fun a purpose, so as to utilize it to the maximum potential for the Kingdom. In other words, if we’re going to do a...
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A New Thing With Networking
There was an idea to bring together a group of remarkable youth pastors, from some great churches, to see if they could become something more. To see if they could work together when needed, so that...
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Youth Ministry’s Crucial Cross-Cultural Mission | CPYU Feature
Because I grew up in a Pastor’s home, we oftentimes had missionaries visit and stay with us. I remember listening to the stories and watching the slide shows they’d deliver during the all-ages Sunday...
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Youth Ministry and Wingin’ It | CPYU Feature
A youth worker posted this yesterday in a youth min group we are both part of on Facebook. . . “Visited a church while out of town this weekend. The Pastor expressed how glad he was that the Holy...
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Why Youth Ministry Shouldn’t Be The Greatest Show On Earth | CPYU Feature
The truth is that I was jealous. I was convinced that there was no way I could compete. Even worse, I believed there was a competition. I was a young youth worker doing ministry in a suburban church...
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Teen Loneliness + Youth Ministry | CPYU Feature
If ever there was a sad and tragic irony, this is it. The generation that has more social connectivity tools and possibilities at their fingertips (literally), is the loneliest. The research indicates...
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Note To My Younger Youth Worker Self: Part One
I unlocked my office door and dropped my church keys on my desk. Starting my first youth ministry job had my head spinning with questions: What do I need to know starting out? How can I best minister...
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Why Self-Care Matters
“David, I want to thank you for the example and mentor you are to me….” This compliment was interrupted by a flood of awkward, snot producing, exhausted tears. I had been in full-time ministry for...
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How Do I Practice Self-Care?
If you do not plan for and make self-care a priority, it will not happen. You may experience periodic lows in activity, but most teenagers and families (and youth ministers) are one step away from a...
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Physical Health Matters
“Beware of church potlucks!” These words of advice were shared with me, over a heavy calorie laden fajita meal, by an old preacher who took an active interest in my education towards becoming a...
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The Power of the ‘Personal Ask’
One of the most difficult parts of a youth worker’s job tends to be recruiting volunteers, but it doesn’t have to be. And, if we want to grow our ministry, we have to grow our volunteer base. Many of...
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5 Ways to Unify Your Team
I’ve had the privilege of being a part of a few wonderful student ministry teams. Teams where we enjoyed, cared for, and supported each other, both in and out of the ministry. We were on the same page...
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Trust One Another
In college I rock climbed quite frequently. There is more time for that sort of thing prior to a family and career. One bright Saturday my longtime friend Brian* and I decided to go climb some routes...
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3 Reverse Culture Trends For 2019
Pop culture tends to change at the speed of light. As soon as we begin to take hold of a rising trend, it begins to fade. Oh, you were finally getting the hang of the shoot? Too late. You’d better...
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How To Engage Students Best Over the Holidays
The holidays are pretty much in full swing! Thanksgiving is over and we are in the middle of Christmas movies, Christmas trees, Christmas lights, hot chocolate, and the movie Elf. Most of you are...
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Book Review | Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
One of my favorite resources for youth ministry is actually a book not specifically intended for youth ministry but for all ministries of the church. I am referring to the great work by Adele Ahlberg...
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Merry Christmas from the YS Family
From all of us at the Youth Specialties family, we would like to wish you, your family, and your church a very Merry Christmas. As we celebrate God With Us, let us remember that deep in the hearts of...
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How To Do Youth Ministry on Social Media
Doing great youth ministry on social networks first requires a basic knowledge of social media platforms and which platforms are successful at reaching teenagers. A flourishing Facebook page probably...
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What Youth Ministry Is Not About | CPYU Feature
Forty years ago next summer I will have been in youth ministry for 40 years. Those of you who have been doing youth ministry for four days, four weeks, four months, or four years must think of that as...
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Most Popular Blog Posts From 2018
It’s the last day of the year! As you reflect and embrace all that God did in and through your ministry this year, the #ysblog went through and found the most popular blog posts from 2018. Wondering...
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